Screen Queensland invests in Australia Day

Media Release

Screen Queensland (SQ) is investing in the Foxtel and Brisbane-­based Emmy® and BAFTA Award winning company, Hoodlum, co-production Australia Day with other investor Screen Australia.

Filming will commence on Monday 22 August and take place exclusively in Brisbane.

‘We are thrilled to be supporting Hoodlum, a home-­grown production company who has experienced international success with their Secrets & Lies television series picked up by the ABC Network in the US,’ said Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira.

‘Australia Day will employ 70 people and spend AUD $3.3 million in Queensland.

‘It is exciting to watch Hoodlum make their entry into feature film production and broaden their production capabilities. With their proven track record, we believe in the strong creative team behind this project and anticipate a bright future for Hoodlum which will mean more jobs and IP remaining in Queensland.’

Australia Day is set in Brisbane over 12 hours on Australia’s national holiday and explores the lives of three Australians from diverse backgrounds whose different worlds collide, illuminating contemporary issues that simmer beneath the surface of modern Australia.

The all star cast is led by Bryan Brown, directed by acclaimed film and television director Kriv Stenders (Red Dog, Kill Me Three Times, The Principal) and written by Stephen M. Irwin (Secrets & Lies). Also starring in the exciting new project are Shari Sebbens (The Sapphires, The Gods of Wheat Street), Sean Keenan (Lockie Leonard, Glitch), Matthew Le Nevez (The Kettering Incident, Offspring) and Daniel Webber, Elias Anton, Jenny Wu, Isabelle Cornish and Phoenix Raei. Australia Day will also introduce rising star 14-­year-old Miah Madden.

‘Foxtel has once again proven its track record to support original and bold storytelling,’ said Hoodlum’s Nathan Mayfield. ‘We are thrilled to be back working with them to tell a story that is both heart-­wrenching and heartwarming set against the familiar streets of Brisbane. Hoodlum continues to push the envelope in its storytelling with a film that is set to inspire conversation.’

Screen Australia’s Head of Production, Sally Caplan said: ‘Screen Australia is proud to be involved in Hoodlum’s foray into feature production, having seen and supported their extraordinary work in high-end television. We are excited by the experience of the crew and the terrific cast and look forward to seeing them bring this story to life.’

Australia Day will will be released in 2017 and have its Australian television premiere on Foxtel.

‘We fully support Hoodlum’s expansion into feature film production and we anticipate long-­term commercial advantages from this support with the potential for more local film production,’ said Ms Vieira.

‘Along with the commercial factors at play for our decision to invest in Australia Day, there are co-­existing cultural factors that are in keeping with our commitment to support and grow diversity both on and off screen.

‘With a diverse ensemble cast and contemporary themes, Australia Day will reflect who we are as Australians – diverse. And we strongly believe this is what audiences want to see.’